After the missus begrudgingly came along to the auto italia day at Stanford Hall yesterday, she decided (to my pleasure) that she quite likes the c500's and wouldn't mind owning one. After a quick look online, they look surprisingly affordable (about £5k - I was expecting £15k+).

Are they effective daily drivers? It would only be a second car (doing about 100 miles/week - mainly A & B roads).

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Many people do use their 500 as a daily driver.

Especially if fitted with the slightly larger and more powerful 649cc 126 type engine, when they will quite happily keep up with the other traffic!

100 miles a week isn't a big deal.

However, like any classic car, whilst most of the time they are amazingly reliable, if they are going to let you down it will be at the most inconvenient time and place possible!

The other issue you may wish to consider is security.

The earlier models don't have even a steering lock, and quite honestly the door locks could be opened with most paper clips or similar implements.

Other than that, why not? They are great fun, real head turners and economical.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

My Dad used his everyday for a few weeks last summer and had no issues with it. He does drive a Land Rover Defender normally though which means he is used to slow noisy and uncomfortable transport!

You will have seen our 500 at Stanford, it was the red K reg one on the Forum stand, it has a 650 engine and cruised on the motorway at 60-65 (GPS) no problem (apart from the slipping clutch, thread most probably to come!) and as said it easily keeps up with traffic.